SPOILER WARNING: This fic deals with a deleted scene on disc 2 of the DVD, so if you don't want to be spoiled, I advise you not to read this.

The Immortal Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Jack Sparrow knew the rules, just as anybody did. He knew the moonlight filtering through the roof of the cave would shine on the sword jammed into his chest and make his blood-stained body glitter like stars. He knew his knees would buckle and he would fall and die. He also knew the sword's tip had come out through his back, and that he should be in excruciating pain.

But he wasn't. Nothing he knew happened. Captain Jack was never one to play by the rules.

His knees didn't buckle and he did not fall, but he stumbled back, his bones bathed in the moonlight. His bones? Hold on, what the-

He raised a hand up to examine this spectacle with more scrutiny then that of a man who should have been on death's doorstep, flexing the bones of his fingers and balling his hand into a fist. It fascinated him - he was still alive? Or was this just a vision of what he would become after death; bones graying with decay, bits of skin holding on, still refusing to let go.

Words could not describe the sudden…rush he felt, a heavy weight being carried up, off his shoulders and away into the night. He felt like if he jumped up he would fly, and if this sword had not killed him…

"That's interesting."

Now, standing over the chest that held all but one cursed gold coin, Jack knew what he had to do. The coin felt weighted, like a caged animal struggling to break free of his hold. His hand shook, and suddenly, dropping a coin seemed so much harder then it ever had before.

Will stood across from him, eagerly awaiting the finale of this ordeal. Jack knew the whelp was pulling from the end of his leash to get back to Elizabeth, but suddenly his fingers closed tighter around the coin.

"The immortal captain Jack Sparrow," He muttered, gears turning inside his head. He wasn't doing anyone any harm if he refused to return the coin…yet. Why not keep it, he thought. After all, living forever has many good sides. "has a nice ring to it."

He could take whatever he pleased without anything as ominous as death to stand in his way. He would be the most fearsome pirate of the sea…maybe even all the seas. All would fear his coming and flee from his path.

But this was one rule he could not break. He could not keep the coin.

No! What are you thinking? This is the chance of a lifetime and you're just gonna let it go!

Death would still be all around him, a death he would not be able to stop. His crew would grow old and die. The Pearl would rot and crumble to ashes eventually. Will, even Elizabeth, would die as well, but perhaps sooner then normally, if Jack knew that damn whelp.

The world would pass him by but he would always remain, invincible to all but solitude and loneliness.

Not true. A pirate doesn't need anything but a ship and crew, and he would find more crew on his journeys.

Already, he was softening. "Not a bad look, really…"

"Jack." Will said sternly, the least he could do to keep from slitting Jack's throat and letting the pirate bleed to death for keeping him from Elizabeth. He wanted to go back, he wanted to go home, but he had to get stuck in a cave with a Pirate that would not make up his mind.

After all they've been through, he still couldn't say he trusted Jack. He had his life in the pirate's hands a number of times, but that island he had been stranded on did more to Jack then just make him slur his words and walk like a woman. The Captain was dangerous, and there was no doubting that he could not be trusted.

But still, Will knew what Jack would do.

Trying not to admit defeat, Jack opened his fingers and placed the stone knife in his palm. Moving fast to get over this ordeal before he changed his mind, he closed his fingers and sliced his palm. But still he could not release the coin.

Death to all but himself. A life of solitude, just like it was on that island, only this time he would find no companionship in the rum.

Glory and riches beyond his wildest dreams were in the palm of his hand. Bloody hell, if this was his chance, it was for fame and fortune.

Jack knew it and so did Will.

He was defeated, and now he just had to raise the white flag. Even now, a smile, a sad one, tugged at the corners of his mouth. He just wanted to part his lips and say "there. Happy now?"

With far too much effort, Jack released the coin. With a clang, the immortal Captain Jack Sparrow's wings were clipped, the dream dying.

Will would return to Port Royal to grow old and happy with Elizabeth, but what of Captain Jack?

The chest slammed closed.

The End.